Tips On Choosing And Using The Right Plunger For Your Sink Drain Clog

If your kitchen sink has stopped allowing water to flow through the drain, then it's time to start thinking about clog removal solutions. Hot water, vinegar, and baking soda can all be used to try to resolve the plumbing problem. However, when these materials will not move the clog, then it is time to reach for the plunger. While most people own plungers and use them regularly, individuals rarely know how to use them correctly or even which ones should be used. Keep reading to learn about a few tips to help you plunge away a drain clog effectively and quickly.

Use The Right Tool

Before you start plunging your sink, you should make sure that you have the right tool. There are several different kinds of plungers that can be purchased, but there are only two types that can be used on a sink. These types include force cup and common sink plungers. Force cup plungers are typically used for toilets, but they can be used for sinks as well. The plungers have a closed bell shape along the bottom with a cup or flap in the middle of the bell. This flap fits into a toilet drain opening, or it can be bent into a sink drain. The cup will not create a seal around the drain though, and this means that it may not be as effective as a common plunger. A common plunger is the tool that is made for kitchen sinks, and this device is the type of plunger with an open bell end.

If you do not have a common plunger, then make sure to purchase one at your local home store. To keep your stainless steel or porcelain sinks from becoming marred, make sure the tool is made from a non-marking rubber. Non-marking rubber is a synthetic rubber that is more dense than natural rubber. This helps to keep the rubber from wearing off onto your sink. However, when a denser material is used, the plunger will be less flexible. This can interfere with the movement of the head. When looking at plungers, try to bend the bell of the plunger. Purchase the one that is the most flexible. Not only will this assist with plunging motions, but the rubber end will be less likely to crack.

A plunger with a plastic or stainless steel handle is best as well. The paint that covers a wooden-handled one will chip off over time, which can cause a splinter to embed in your hand.

Use The Plunger Correctly

Once you have the right plunger, place the middle of the plunger bell directly over the top of the clogged drain opening. Look at the water level in the sink and make sure it sits about an inch or two above the plunger bell. Plungers work by creating a vacuum seal around the plumbing drain, and water is needed to create the vacuum. Add water to the sink if there is not enough to cover the plunger head.

Once the plunger is positioned and the water level is ready, tip the plunger to the side slightly to let air out of the bell. If air is left in the cup of the plunger, then it will compress as the tool is moved downward. The compressed air will absorb some of the pressure that is forced down against the clog, and this may result in an unsuccessful clog removal.

Press the plunger down over the sink drain once air is released. Try to pull up gently on the plunger. If you feel some resistance, then the plunger has created a seal over the drain opening. Grab the plunger handle near the top and then move the handle up and down rapidly. Do this for 20 to 30 seconds. Remove the plunger from the sink. If water starts to drain, then the clog removal has been successful.

If you can't clear your clogged sink on your own, contact a company like Blount's Speedy Rooter for assistance.

Share

2 August 2016

About Me

I have always loved baseball, and when the world series arrives each year, I enjoy inviting my friends over to watch the games. As our family grew, it became difficult for all of our guests to fit in our living room. We decided that we needed a dedicated "man cave" in our home, but we didn't have an extra room to build it in. We thought long and hard about how we could add it, but we finally decided to turn our garage into the man cave and have a carport built onto our home to park our cars under. I have always been interested in learning more handy-work, so I enjoyed watching the contractors build both the man cave and car port. I thought I would start a blog to share what I learned during the building process to help other homeowners!